The Perfect Survivalist

Imagine the perfect survivalist. An animal that can be at home in a large city, or live just as comfortable in the backwoods. Scratching out an existence by eating bugs, yet capable of taking down a small deer when the opportunity presents itself.

As an athlete, it’s built to move with ease. And at a dead run can travel 40 mph over rough terrain.

Being able to withstand triple digit heat of the southwest, or the snow of Yellowstone. And clothing to camouflage yourself in these environments.

Does this sound like a magical creature that can run up and down rainbows?

Maybe so, but it normally goes by the name “Coyote” Canis latrans.

I was recently watching the nature documentary called “The Americas.” In one scene, they were showing a coyote and a red fox hunting the same area in deep snow. The fox has a specialized technique for hunting mice in this environment. With it’s superb hearing, it can locate mice running under the snow. It will jump up in the air and come down face first in the snow, catching the mouse with its teeth. The coyote observed this technique and decided to give it a try. Well, things didn’t work out as planned. Not only did he come up empty handed, but his delivery was ungraceful and sloppy. It’s still fascinating to think he watched the fox and thought to himself, maybe I can do this too.

I wonder if he ever tried it again and perfected his technique, then taught others how to do it. Or maybe adapted his own variation that’s better suited to his anatomy. The fox and coyote are closely related to each other. The fox is smaller and has a nose that’s more of a point. Maybe this feature allows him to pass through snow easier face first. Either way, the coyotes ability to break custom and try different things is a benefit to its survival.

Back in the old days of Texas, they’re stories of Badgers and coyotes hunting together. The badger known as “Tlalcoyote”, comes from the Aztec word meaning “Earth Coyote”. Even though the coyote is a excellent digger, he can’t dig as deep or in hard places with rocks and cactus like the badger. I’m not sure who benefits the most from this arrangement, but my guess would be the coyote. The badger has a reputation for possessing a nasty disposition, but the coyote is fast and could steal hard earned food from his so called “hunting partner”.

Coyotes have also been known to work with each other when hunting. I have read stories about coyotes setting up relays and running a single deer in big circles to the point of exhaustion. When the poor deer was unable to defend itself or runaway, they moved in for the kill. Sounds like a horrible thing to witness, but they have to eat too. A deer has a lot more meat than a rat. So, it’s a big payout for the energy that’s expelled.

Killing and stealing is not always necessary in the coyotes world. Sometimes, finding an already dead animal is acceptable food as well. Even if it’s been dead for awhile. I’m sure coyotes love deer season. A poorly placed shot by a hunter must be a gift from God. No chasing, no hooves to the face, just easy pickings and plenty to eat. Of course, in areas that have big cats, bears, and wolves. The little coyote has to be careful, or it could be next on the menu. Wild hogs might even be a threat to the coyotes, I don’t know. I certainly hope not. Considering the damage hogs caused in the US, I’m sure they have made life difficult for the coyote.

Never underestimate the coyotes ability to survive. They have lived through traps, poison, and angry ranchers. If anything the coyote has expanded its territory and doing quite well. And that’s a good thing, they play an important role in the ecosystem. Of evenings, when we sit outside, the howl of a coyote always brings a smile to my face.

Thanks for reading and more to come on the coyote in the future. In the next article, we’ll be taking a look at the interesting life of the freshwater sunfish. A little more to these sneaky little fish than what you might think.

Bryan